Rising Stars for ME
Rising Stars for ME is Maine's Quality Rating and Improvement System for licensed early childhood and out-of-school time programs. It recognizes programs that meet quality standards, provides guidance and resources for programs working to improve their rating, and helps families and communities understand what quality care looks like.Your Rising Stars rating is not just a recognition of quality — it has a direct impact on your program's financial sustainability. Programs with higher Rising Stars ratings receive higher reimbursement rates through the State of Maine's Child Care Affordability Program. Improving your rating is one of the most concrete steps you can take to strengthen both the quality and the financial health of your program.
The goals of Rising Stars for ME are to:
- Recognize programs for meeting established quality standards
- Provide guidance and resources for programs working to increase their quality rating
- Educate families and communities on the dimensions of quality in early childhood and out-of-school time settings
What Rising Stars for ME Measures
Rising Stars for ME evaluates programs across several dimensions of quality — including learning environment, staff qualifications and professional development, family and community partnerships, and program administration and leadership. Meeting the standards in each area contributes to your overall rating. A strong Rising Stars rating reflects a program that invests in its staff, its environment, and its relationships with the families it serves. MRTQ PDN's Program Quality Specialists can help you understand what the standards require and what steps your program can take to meet and exceed them.
The Five Star Levels at a Glance
Star 1 is for legal, license-exempt family child care programs caring for two or fewer children.
Star 2 is the baseline for all licensed programs in compliance with the appropriate licensing rule.
Stars 3 through 5 are voluntary — programs apply to move up by meeting specific quality standards and documenting their compliance through an electronic portfolio.
Star 5 is reserved for programs that have achieved national accreditation through NAEYC, the American Montessori Society, NAFCC, the Council on Accreditation, or a Head Start program that meets national Head Start standards.Programs with a Star 3 rating receive a 2% bump in their Child Care Affordability Program reimbursement rate, Star 4 receives 5%, and Star 5 receives 10%.
Steps to Improve Your Rating
Step 1: Know Your Current Rating and Expiration Date
Your Rising Stars rating expiration date aligns with your program's license expiration date. It is recommended that you submit your renewal application approximately 60 days before expiration.
Step 2: Review the Standards for Your Next Star Level
Rising Stars for ME is a block system — block rating structures require all items at one level across all categories to be met before advancing to the next level. Review the standards for your setting type — there are different standards for facilities serving thirteen or more children and family child care programs serving twelve or fewer children.
Step 3: Identify Your Gaps
Use the Rising Stars for ME Inclusive Practices Checklist and your program's current documentation to identify where you are meeting standards and where gaps exist. Your regional Program Quality Specialist can help you conduct this review.
Step 4: Support Staff Training and Credentials
Staff qualifications are one of the key drivers of your Rising Stars rating. To achieve a Star 3 or higher rating, certain staff must complete the Maine Early Learning and Development Standards training — P-MELDS and/or IT-MELDS — depending on the age group they serve. Supporting your staff in completing required training and earning credentials is one of the most direct investments you can make in your rating.
Step 5: Build Your Electronic Portfolio
To move from Star 2 to a higher rating you will need to document that your program meets the quality standards for your target star level through an electronic portfolio submitted through the Rising Stars for ME application portal.